“Have fun at the game, Ms. Steele,” Jeremy said as he slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed out of the classroom. Stopping in his tracks he called back, “Maybe you’ll see Ferguson tonight. I still can’t believe we got him in that trade.” She smiled and waved as her fourth-grade student ran to catch his bus. Jennifer Steele had taught at Lakeview a private school since graduating from college. It catered to the wealthier families in the St. Louis area.
She zipped her backpack closed and smiled. She was a season ticket holder and loved the game of hockey. Generals fans were all a buzz with the unexpected trade that led to Ryne Ferguson joining the team.
Jennifer was running behind. She often met her best friend, Lauren Masters, for a quick pregame bite to eat at Faceoff’s located inside the Generaldome; then, they’d have an after-game celebration at Union Central, the local hangout frequented by the players. As she hurried from her classroom, Lakeview’s principal, Johnston O’Bryan, called to her. “Are you in a rush, Jennifer?”
She stopped dead in her tracks. She hadn’t heard Johnston approach. “I’m meeting a friend before the game. Do you need something?”
“I won’t keep you, but tomorrow stop by my office. I’d like to discuss something with you. Don’t fret while you’re at the game, I just want to run an idea past you, that’s all. Have a nice evening.”
Jennifer hurried home, changed, and jumped right back into her car. The Generaldome was about a half hour from her house. She preferred to get there early so she could park close to the gates.
Jennifer was still running late and was stuck in stop and go traffic. If I know Lauren, she’ll worry about me… She pulled out her cell phone and punched in her friend’s number. Focused on making sure the call went through, she wasn’t paying attention as she drove through the entrance to the parking lot. That’s when she heard the loud voice and felt her car jolt.
She wasn’t exactly sure what had happened, then she heard someone yelling at her. She glanced up and threw her car in park. There, standing beside her car, was a man who didn’t look too happy.
She rolled down her window. “Is there a problem?”
“There most certainly is,” he stated. “You almost ran over me.”
“I don’t know how that could have happened. I didn’t see you.”
“I guess you didn’t as you were looking at your phone.”
Jennifer wasn’t sure what she could say to deny the true fact that she was focused more on her phone. “Sorry about that. You’re right. I wasn’t paying attention. Are you alright? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“I’m fine but promise me that you will stop using your cell when you drive.”
“I don’t use my phone when I drive.” The man looked at her with a half-smirk. “I don’t.”
“Fine. I’ve gotta go. I’m already late,” he called over his shoulder before he jogged off in the direction of the players’ entrance.
She had no idea who he was. What just happened? She sighed. Thank goodness he’s okay. She raised her hand to her chest, doing the best to slow her speeding heart.
Jennifer parked, took a calming breath, and rushed into the dome. She’d been to Faceoff’s often over the years and could find the restaurant with her eyes closed. As she rushed through the doors, she spotted Lauren standing at the bar, tapping her foot.
Lauren pulled her into a tight hug. “Hey, what’s wrong? You’re shaking.”
Looking down at her phone, Jennifer said, “I was trying to call you and ran into a man on the parking lot.”
“He didn’t hurt you, did he? Let’s call the police before he can get away.”
“No, I almost ran into him with my car.”
“You what?”
“You heard me. I was trying to phone you to let you know I was on the way when I glanced down to make sure the call was going through. I lost focus and the next thing I knew I heard someone yell out.”
“Was he injured?”
“He said he wasn’t. At least I don’t think he was.”
“Where’d he go?”
She sighed. “Funny thing, he headed towards the players’ entrance.” Gripping the countertop to still her shaking hands, she added. “I could sure use a drink.”
“Yep, I’m sure you can.”
They seated themselves at their usual table.
“What’s new outside of almost running someone down in the parking lot?” Lauren asked as she sipped her water waiting for the waitress to take their order.
“Not much. Johnston stopped me on my way out the door. He wants to see me in his office tomorrow. He wouldn’t tell me what he wanted, but that’s not unusual for him. He likes to keep us in suspense. What about you?”
“Same old, same old. We’re pretty slow right now. I’m thinking about taking a trip to some warmer climate. I can’t wait for spring. I thought Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow and winter was supposed to end sooner rather than later. I guess he got that wrong.”
“Yeah, I think so. I still don’t understand why we rely on a ground hog to tell us how much longer we’re going to endure the winter months. That’s crazy!”
Jennifer had barely finished her thought when they were greeted by Wanda, their longtime waitress. “Hey there ladies, how goes it? What can I get for you this evening?”
“After the day I’ve had, I’ll just take a glass of water with lemon.”
“Must’ve been pretty bad— you never drink water.”
“I know but after almost running someone down, I need to keep my wits about me.”
“Oh honey, was anyone injured?”
“No, but it scared the living daylights out of me. I’m still recovering.” She raised her shaking hands.
“I’m sure it did. What about you, Lauren?”
“You know, I think I’ll have the same. I don’t want my friend here enjoying her drink too much.” They laughed as Wanda headed off to get their waters.
Jennifer was still rattled and had lost her appetite. So instead of ordering a burger like she usually did, she chose a bowl of French onion soup instead. Lauren decided on a chef salad. They ate their meals then headed out to the rink where they could watch the Generals warm-up.
Their seats were Club Level, just high enough so they could enjoy watching the players move the puck across the ice. They took their places as the Generals skated out. Jennifer became distracted and didn’t notice the team members standing along the boards.
“Jen, do you know that guy?”
Jennifer wasn’t paying attention to where Lauren nodded and perused the stands. “Not over there silly, down there. See, one of the players is gesturing at you.”
Jennifer followed Lauren’s gaze to the men standing below them. Gasping, she said, “That’s him. That’s the guy I ran into.”
“Jen?” she asked questioningly. “Do you know who that is?”
“He looks familiar but you know me, I’m really not good at putting faces to names.”
“Well, my dear, I think you almost upended our new star player.”
“That can’t be. Why would he be walking across the parking lot? He should have been here hours ago.”
“Can’t say, but I’m sure that’s him.” As they discussed the player, he smiled at her.
“Yep, that’s got to be him. He’s smiling at you like he knows you.”
“He doesn’t know me.” And then he waved.
“He thinks he does. See? Look at him waving at you. You need to wave back.”
“I can’t. I’m embarrassed.” She covered her face with her hand.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. It was an accident, and it looks like he’s forgiven you.” Lauren grabbed ahold of Jen’s arm and raised it, forcing her to return Ryne’s wave. He pointed back at her then returned to his warm-up skate.
“I can’t believe that’s him,” Jen muttered while searching through her purse.
“Yeah, well it is. I think he likes you.”
“How can you say that when I almost killed him?”
“You didn’t and he looks perfectly well to me.”
The game passed in a blur for Jennifer. She still couldn’t believe that she almost ran over the Generals’ new star player.
“That was a fantastic game,” Lauren said as they headed down the escalator towards the parking lot. “I’m thinking a beer sounds good right about now, how about it?”
“Even though I know I shouldn’t, I have to agree. I need something to calm me.” They took their time exiting the dome and agreed to meet at Union Central.
The bar was located a few miles from the Generaldome and often drew fans coming home from the game. She was surprised when she pulled into an almost-empty parking lot. Then she realized it was a school night and attributed the lack of cars to that.
She jumped from her car and met Lauren at the door. “Where is everyone?” Lauren asked as they were greeted by the hostess.
Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “It’s been slow all night.”
They headed to their usual table and were greeted by their waitress. They both ordered a beer. Their attention was drawn to the television monitor over the bar where Kelly Rhodes was interviewing Ryne Ferguson.
“How does it feel being a General?”
“Great.”
“The fans certainly seem to be excited by the trade. Any thoughts?”
“I’m happy to be here. I’m looking forward to learning the city, and I hope to make an impact on the team.”
“I hear you barely made the game tonight.”
Jen’s eyes grew wide waiting for his response.
“Yeah, my plane was delayed coming out of Vancouver. Then I got lost on my way to the dome. I was nearly run over by an anxious fan.”
“Anxious? Did he just say that I was anxious?’
“He did.”
Jen drew her lips in and shook her head.
“I was not anxious. I was trying to call you.”
“Better he say that than what you were really doing.”
“I guess you’re right.” Both of them cheered when the waitress delivered their beers to the table. “I’ve needed this all night.” Jen raised hers to Lauren’s and clinked her bottle. “To another win.”
As she took a swig, she looked up. Her eyes grew wider by the second. She started coughing uncontrollably, and Lauren smacked her hard on the back. Jen pointed towards the bar. Before either of them could react, they heard a loud voice. It belonged to none other than Ryne Ferguson and he was coming straight towards them.